As Carrie Underwood once admonished, “he’s probably buying her some fruity little drink ‘cause she can’t shoot whisky.” If, like Carrie, a fruity little drink sounds like your own personal hell, then you’ll get along with the crowd at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. Bourbon can be intimidating for newcomers, but through hours or days of unlimited samples from 50 brands, including heritage labels like Makers Mark and Jim Beam and new wave craft distillers, you can quickly find your footing. If you find a bourbon you love, you can buy bottles or exclusive runs at the Master Distillers Bottle Auction.
With all the drinking, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival’s educational programs might be a losing game, but hopefully you can retain a few facts. Take some mental notes at the barrel making demonstration by Independent Stave Co. and test your pallet by tasting rare and vintage whisky pours with Travis Hill. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival tastings and most programs are included with your ticket, but bring some extra cash for the food trucks sprawled across the grounds of Spalding Hall.
The Specs
- Around 50,000 people attend.
- Tickets range from $95-$1,195.
- One day tickets and VIP tickets are available.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to Kentucky here.
FAQs
- Tickets are non-refundable.
- Tickets are not available at the gate.
- You must be 21+ to attend.
- The festival will happen rain or shine.